A University vice-chancellor is urging MPs to reconsider their decision on tuition fees.

Professor Peter Fidler, vice-chancellor of Sunderland University, has joined 14 other university heads who say the introduction of the fees will disadvantage most students.

Today MPs will be voting again on the Higher Education Bill when it returns to the House of Commons after being narrowly passed in January by just five votes.

The 15 vice-chancellors and principals of mainstream universities and colleges say they welcome "many parts" of the Higher Education Bill.

In a letter the group states: "In particular we strongly support the Government's plans to introduce post-graduate repayment, to reintroduce maintenance grants and to increase the maintenance loans available to students.

"We need to recognise the need for graduates to make a contribution to their education.

"However, we believe that variable fees will further widen the differences in resources for universities and disadvantage the majority of students.

"We urge the Government to reconsider its position on variability."

The letter is signed by John Brooks of Wolverhampton University; Roger Brown of Southampton Institute; Peter Fidler of the University of Sunderland; Michael Goldstein of Coventry University and 11 others whose names do not appear in print.

Professor Peter Fidler said: "There are some very positive plans in the Higher Education Bill, such as the reintroduction of maintenance grants, increased loans and not having to repay fees until after graduation.

"However, we remain concerned that variable fees may lead to an uneven distribution of resources between universities, all of whom need the investment that fee income brings, and may therefore disadvantage students.

"The letter sent by the vice-chancellors was to ensure Members of Parliament appreciate our position and do their best by all students.

"I am reassured that ministers today acknowledged our concerns and confirmed they will carry out a full review after three years, as well as not change the proposed fee structure until 2010, and then only with approval of both Houses of Parliament."

The cost of putting a child through university is a huge worry for parents says Chris Davies, who grew up in North Shields and whose daughter is a student at Northumbria University.

He said he was so worried about the cost of putting his daughter through university he set up an advisory service, called iPledge, for parents will similar worries.

Mr Davies said: "As a parent I was alarmed by the mounting cost of putting my daughter through university.

"This drove me to set up iPledge to help other parents wake up to the costs they face if they want to give their children a leg up on the career ladder by going to university. I found out the hard way but parents can help themselves now if they wake up to the problem and take the blinkers off.

"Even though half of Newcastle's parents are worried about paying for their children's university education, less than one third, 29%, claim to be putting money to one side to prepare for the expense.

"Although some Government grants will be available, these will only be for those in financial hardship and cannot stretch to half of the student population."